“I kind of did a hockey move where I rag-dolled him and kind of kept him to the ground,” Barberian told the Toronto Sun on Tuesday. “I didn’t really try to assault this guy or hit him or hurt him. I just wanted to hold him for police.”

Barberian said adrenaline kicked in when the man pounced, attempting to steal the till which contained $400. In retrospect, he admitted it wasn’t a “genius” move, but explained he was upset.

“I realized he didn’t have a weapon,” he added. “In his hands he had fives and tens and that’s when the till went flying and I starting whirling around with him.”

Joel Brown, 41, was scheduled to appear at Old City Hall court on Wednesday but staffing issues delayed his bail hearing. He is expected to return to court Dec. 29.

The victim lost his cellphone during the scuffle and police are looking for the public’s help identifying a woman who is seen on security video taking the phone.

“She sees my cellphone in the middle of the road, stops traffic and steals my cellphone,” Barberian said, adding that upset him more than the attempted mugging.